I don't think anyone cares if Niles tells Watson or Bo that he wants the ball. The attention-getting thing to most people was the article in the Weird Harold, because Huskers don't do that. That article, combined with the drops against Texas, are why he's getting more focus than Kinnie and/or Burkhead and/or Enunwa, all of whom also dropped easy catches.
I'm also 100% in Niles' corner on-field. Even though he's frustrating, I still love the guy. He's as Husker as you get.